In a recent government meeting, Michelle Bishop, the RTI instructional coach for Franklin County, provided an overview of the district's Response to Intervention (RTI) program aimed at supporting at-risk students. The RTI framework focuses on enhancing foundational skills in phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for students who require additional assistance.

Bishop detailed her role, which encompasses resource management, problem-solving, and collaboration with RTI coordinators and school administrators. She emphasized the importance of conducting regular check-ins to assess the needs of schools and to troubleshoot any challenges faced by intervention groups. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that students receive the necessary support to prevent them from being placed in special education programs.

During the summer, Bishop revamped outdated support documents and conducted a workshop for educational assistants at the start of the school year. This workshop focused on phonics instruction and effective group management strategies, receiving positive feedback from participants. A follow-up session is planned for November to further enhance these skills.

Additionally, Bishop highlighted the establishment of a point of contact for RTI coordinators and school psychologists to facilitate communication and address specific needs. This partnership is crucial for implementing high-quality instructional materials effectively.

Looking ahead, the district will host a Professional Learning Community (PLC) session with experts Dr. Jessica Dainty and Dr. Haley Richardson to discuss individualized learning plans for students with dyslexia. This initiative underscores the district's commitment to providing tailored support for diverse learning needs.